WN11-00-000035 - The operating system must employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs.

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Information

Utilizing an allowlist provides a configuration management method for allowing the execution of only authorized software. Using only authorized software decreases risk by limiting the number of potential vulnerabilities.

The organization must identify authorized software programs and only permit execution of authorized software. The process used to identify software programs that are authorized to execute on organizational information systems is commonly referred to as allowlisting.

NOTE: Nessus has not performed this check. Please review the benchmark to ensure target compliance.

Solution

Configure an application allowlisting program to employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs.

Configuration of allowlisting applications will vary by the program. AppLocker is an allowlisting application built into Windows 11 Enterprise.

If AppLocker is used, it is configured through group policy in Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Application Control Policies >> AppLocker.

Implementation guidance for AppLocker is available in the NSA paper 'Application allowlisting using Microsoft AppLocker' at the following link:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-application-control/applocker/applocker-policies-deployment-guide

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_MS_Windows_11_V1R4_STIG.zip

Item Details

References: CAT|II, CCI|CCI-001774, Rule-ID|SV-253262r890447_rule, STIG-ID|WN11-00-000035, Vuln-ID|V-253262

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 6c5a550f7c527743b50af550584e26051384955e635c8ba2206332056e91db89